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Source: The Sun, Yuma, Ariz.儲存倉Oct. 18--Renee Smith received the 2013 Annual Tribute of the Muses Award during a special event held at the Historic Yuma Theatre Thursday evening.The Muse award honors a local artist, advocate, arts philanthropist, or group that has demonstrated consistent and determined efforts in the arts or in support of the arts in the Yuma community.Other nominees included Darin Fenger, Robert McCain, Cindy Turrentine, and the Yuma Rotary Club.In addition, Mary Plante received the 2013 Helios Award, given to a young person or an individual new-to-the-arts who demonstrates outstanding desire to be an artist, advocate, or supporter of the arts. Other Helios nominees included dance instructor Amy Richardson and artist Benjamin Russell.Both Smith and Plante were chosen from among their peers to be honored by the city of Yuma Parks, Arts, and Recreation Commission (PARC). Smith was nominated for her outstanding leadership in resurrecting and restoring the Yuma Fine Arts Association (YFA), which almost became defunct about one year ago.With support from the city of Yuma and the broader community, a new board of trustees was created with Smith leading the vital mission to save YFA. The organization under Renee's leadership has thrived, grown and YFA has resumed its busy event and exhibition schedule."It is important to bring art to Yuma," Smith said. "It is important to sustain it, to teach our children to appreciate it, to support our artists. I very much appreciate the opportunity to stand up here and acknowledge" the arts community.Smith was "really surprised" to be chosen for the award, she added. "I was honored to be nominated. I think when we took over a year ago we didn't know what we were getting into, and I have loved every minute of it. Honestly, the people I work with are truly phenomenal people, and to be hon迷你倉最平red for this and what we are doing is validating for the effort we have put in and the vision that we have. It has been a dream this year to engage in Yuma Fine Arts Association... and bring it to the front and center of everyone's attention."Smith credited her success to the positive people in her life who have aided her endeavors including both former and current YFAA board members."I am blessed beyond words," she said. "When you spend time with artistic people, it makes you a better person. When you surround yourself with amazing people, you do amazing things. I am here because I am around amazing people every day."Plante has been actively involved in the performing arts her entire life. Her training and experience encompass theatre, music and dance. Currently she is the new drama teacher at Gila Ridge High School."This is incredible," Plante said. "Thank you to the Parks Arts and Recreation Committee for putting this together. I can't believe how much work has gone into this. I'm really, really impressed."Plante enjoys being able to bring joy into her students' lives through the arts."One of the things I'm noticing as a teacher in my first year is that a lot of the kids come from broken homes, or homes that are in very bad positions financially right now because of the furlough, the government shut down and... because we have" a large number of unemployed residents in Yuma, she said."These kids really struggle with all sorts of things... terrible issues that can be invisible to us. They turn to the arts for refuge and for community and also to create something beautiful in spite of the challenges they face, and they need" those who create, teach, and contribute to the arts "to support them."Copyright: ___ (c)2013 The Sun (Yuma, Ariz.) Visit The Sun (Yuma, Ariz.) at .yumasun.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉